All I Want for Christmas...is you Read Online Free PDF

Christmas off.”
    He savored that teasing look then glanced at
the flames. “I have been on my own since I left school. I suppose
it becomes a habit to occupy oneself…”
    “Well. You should join Bram and me this year.
We may not entertain in high style, but I do believe we manage to
amuse some people. I think he has invited Jerome also. The three of
you could get up to cards and what not. Our staff is also off. We
manage to scrounge for ourselves in the kitchens. Bram is a good
cook, though please, don’t put that about, it would destroy his
rep—”
    He chuckled and nodded. “Thank you, for the
invite, I may accept.”
    “Do.”
    He dropped his hand from the mantle and
asked, “Do you have a full schedule for the next few days?”
    She winced. “Yes. Two more balls and a supper
at the duchesses, then there is…”
    “—perhaps we shall see each other, then,” he
cut in and bowed. “But in case we do not. May I have this
dance?”
    She looked up at him. Her expression was
solemn as she nodded and moved a foot closer, resting her hand on
his shoulder, and clasping the other. “If I waltz horribly, 'tis
Bram’s fault. He is the one who insisted I learn the new
dance.”
    Lucas had his hand on the small of her back,
her scent, and the feel of their palms stirring him as he began the
gliding steps to the music. “My housekeeper taught me.”
    She chuckled and he smiled, looking down at
her. Twirling and turning to the rise of music, which had the
whimsical sound of fairies and falling snow.
    Maneuvering them around the furnishings, he
shared her laughter again, as they had to make up their own pattern
to avoid chairs and tables—the statue whose folded arms held an ivy
bough.
    Lucas had been right, she moved well, even in
such limited and awkward space. She moved sensually. He felt his
blood surging and felt alive, as he never had with this woman in
his arms.
    When she bumped the back of the settee and
stumbled a step, he pulled her closer to him, much closer than
would be allowed in a ballroom. Feeling her breasts in the gown
brush his thin white shirt, he took advantage to sweep his lips
across her temple as he turned his head to direct their next
path.
    Somewhere in the next moments, as he felt the
swirl of her skirt, and his head filled with subtle citrus, his
body aware of hers moving under his hand, lightly brushing against
his, Lucas realized she had slid her hand from his shoulder to rest
over his shoulder blade, which kept the contact between their
chests close, at times brushing as he contrived their steps.
    The music was slowing to a light lilt of
flutes and softening, so that it faded enough to bring the
crackling warmth of the fireplace and the harsh beat of his heart
to his ears. With that came the thickening and shrinking of the
awareness between them. He heard her breath quaver out and felt a
like tremble in her frame.
    Lucas ended the dance by the fireplace, but
for suspended, heavy moments, they did not move. Finally, her head
tilted back and his lifted those inches to meet the gaze he knew
instinctively was coming.
    Between his lashes, he eyed that mouth, which
she must have laved recently for the lower lip glistened, then met
her gaze that revealed sheen of sensual heat.
    His head was lowering gradually, the pull of
that hunger to kiss her, and the tightening of anticipation in his
body somewhat intoxicating. More so, when he felt her leaning
toward him, her hand sliding down between his shoulder blades.
    The abrupt blast of noise and laughter that
came from the door being thrown open, sent them apart as if ice
water had gushed from the floor. Lucas glared at the young bucks
who were on either side of a lady, known for her fast ways and
sexual exploits. Each young man carried a bottle of champagne in
his hands. He was aware that Verena had tuned to the fire and was
looking into it.
    The group stopped dead at his icy stare, all
amusement fading from them for a moment, but since they had